DSS has extended the deadline for assisted living providers to respond to its survey on the educational and training needs of ALF employees on infection prevention and control topics. VHCA-VCAL encourages members to respond by the new January 21 deadline.

As part of a grant DSS received in partnership with VDH, DSS will provide essential infection prevention and control support to licensed adult providers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. To determine the educational and training needs of those working in assisted living facilities (ALFs), DSS has two requests of ALFs as outlined in this initial December 30 memo and in this January 11 reminder memo.

If you have not already completed the survey and/or submitted the requested documents, please do so by Friday, January 21, 2022. All documents should be emailed to IPCTeam@dss.virginia.gov or faxed to (804) 819-7114.

DSS is requesting that ALFs:

1. Print and post the flyer included in the memo by your time clock(s), breakroom, nurses’ stations, kitchen, and any non-resident areas frequented by staff members. This will ensure staff can complete the survey This survey is for ALL staff, clinical and nonclinical.

• The flyer contains a QR code which staff members can scan with their cell phones to access the survey.

2. Submit your facility’s Infection Control Plan and any other policies regarding COVID-19 or other infectious and communicable diseases, including but not limited to the following:

• staff orientation and initial training
• administrator training
• direct care staff training
• volunteers
• staff health records and requirements
• health care oversight
• admission and retention of residents
• physical examination and report
• visitation in the facility
• COVID-19 mitigation plan
• blood glucose monitoring
• environmental services
• any other policies pertaining to infectious and communicable diseases

Recommendations for improvements of Infection Control Plans and other submitted policies will be provided by DSS Infection Preventionist Consultants.

The information gathered will not be used in a punitive manner but will ensure a thorough assessment of the infection prevention and control issues within ALFs. This will help DSS build a training program applicable to provider needs.

VHCA-VCAL encourages our ALF members to complete the survey if you have not already done so.